Contents

Understand

With only a few commercial facilities, Papa Westray is somewhere to get way from it all - especially for people interested in birdlife and archaeology. Locally, the island is known as "Papay", pronounced Papee. Currently there are about 70 resident inhabitants.

Get in

By boat

Several passenger ferries a day link Papa Westray with Pierowall on Westray.
Twice a week Orkney Ferries[1] link the island with Kirkwall.

By plane

Loganair[2] provide at least two flights each weekday (one on Sundays) between Papa Westray and Kirkwall which also stop at Westray or North Ronaldsay. The flight between Papa Westray and Westray is the shortest (2 minutes) scheduled flight in the world!

Get around

Distances on the island are deceptive. One hour of fast walking should take you from one end of the island to the other along the main road. However, a complete circuit of the island around the coast might take several hours because of the undulating terrain and the distractions of archaeological sites, birdlife and seals on the white sandy beaches.

See

The Knap of Howar is the oldest standing domestic structure in northern Europe, dating from about 3500BC.

Holland Farm in the centre of the island has a set of attractive buildings and a small free museum.

St Boniface Church dates from the 12th century and stands on an even older Pictish settlement eroding into the sea.

Do

Walk up to the RSPB North Hill Reserve and see arctic terns and other birds from the small hide.

Sleep

There are two cottages to rent (Holm View and Peatwell), two private B&B's (School Place and Daybreak) and the community-owned:

Beltane Co-operative 01857 644267 has a hostel and B&B and can serve meals if booked in advance

Eat, Drink & Buy

The Beltane Co-operative is the only amentiy on the island - you can buy food and drink here to cook next door in the hostel.